Interested in knowing some common games and events
that happen in Korea? Always wonder what the people
on the other side of the world do for fun? Or even
those right in your backyard? Maybe you want to
learn a little more about the games and events that
go on. Well, today is your lucky day.Ch'eongdo
So Ssa-eum (Bull Fighting)
Unlike Spanish bull fighting which pits man
against bull, Korean bull fights are real bull
fights: bull vs. bull. Two bulls butt heads and try
to push each other backwards. The first bull to back
off loses.
Chang-gi (Korean
Chess)
Although very similar to Western chess, Chang-gi
has a slightly different playing board, pieces, and
rules. Like most strategic games, the rules can be
easily picked up, but the skills of a good player
take a long time to learn.
Ch'ajon-nori
This is a provincial game involving the entire
community. Two dongch'ae ("ships" made from wood and
old rice stalks), each born by several strong men
and captained by one leader, repeatedly ram into
each other. If a leader falls down or if the
dongch'ae is allowed to touch the ground, the
opposing side wins.
Hwa-t'u (Go-Stop)
On trains, in the park, at restaurants and bars-
almost anywhere you go you can see (and hear) the
familiar sight of Koreans playing cards. To properly
play, one should slap ones cards down when playing
them. Most people play for money, although the
stakes tend to be only 10 or 100 won per point for
"friendly" games.
Jul T'agi (Rope
Walking)
Rather than simply walk from one end of the rope to
the other, Korean tightrope walkers jump up and
down, do somersaults, and tell jokes to the
audience.
Kite Flying
Not just a children's past time, many older Koreans
enjoy flying kites, especially on major holidays
such as Ch'usok and the Lunar New Year. The
traditional Korean kite (yon) is made with
bamboo sticks and Korean paper.
Nol-Ttwigi (Korean
See-saw)
Unlike in the West where riders sit atop either side
of the see-saw, nol-ttwigi participants stand
on their side, then jump up, forcing their partner
into the air on the opposite side. This game is
popular among females, usually during traditional
holidays and festivals.
Paduk
Called Go in Japan, paduk has a very
large following in Korea. Played on a 19x19 line
checkerboard, two players alternate placing their
pieces on the board to try to surround their
opponent. The one who "captures" the most amount of
real estate wins. TV shows demonstrate strategy and
feature games between highly ranked competitors-
there's even an entire cable TV channel dedicated to
it! You can also buy a
PC-based game online from
Yes Asia.
Ssirum (Korean
wrestling)
Ssirum is somewhat similar to Japanese
sumo wrestling, with two opponents trying to
wrestle each other in a sandy ring. The one who
throws his opponent to the ground wins a point. The
annual competitions attract many spectators.
Yut (Four-Stick
Game)
A traditional Korean game, usually played on the
first day of the Lunar New Year, involves 4 players
or teams. Four sticks, flat on one side and curved
on the other, are tossed in the air for each side's
turn. The combination of flat and curved faces
pointing upwards determines the number of spaces
moved along a board (picture on the right). Landing
on an intersection circle enables the side to take
the shorter path. The first person/team to travel
all the way around the board wins.
Hapkido
Although not as famous as Tang Soo Do, hapkido is
very popular among Koreans as a form of
self-defense. Originating during the
Three Kingdoms Period over 1,300 years ago, it
shares many similarities with Japanese Akido. A few
English speaking instructors can be found around
Seoul and near larger U.S. military installations.
(Spinning Tops)
Children all over the world enjoy spinning tops,
and Korea's kids are no exception. Traditionally,
tops were spun in an enclosed box, with points
scored for various actions. Also popular is fighting
tops where players try to knock their opponents'
tops out of a designated area.
